New Wine Bar “Olio” And Restaurant “Elaia” Locates In Botanical Heights

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:30:34 +0000

According to Sauce magazine, Elaia and Olio, owned by co-owner of Salume Beddu, Ben Poremba, will open in the renovated gas station building and adjacent house (east of the gas station) by the end of the year. Please follow the link for more information and a conceptual drawing of the building(s). Work has already started…

Over the last 5 years, Mama Josephine’s, Sasha’s and Sweet Art have entered the market along with Thurman Grill to provide multiple restaurant options for the residents in the area. Each new restaurant in and around Shaw helps continue to grow our neighborhood area as the premier living destination in the St. Louis region.

http://www.saucemagazine.com/blog/?p=16557

Freak Storm Means New Roofs In Shaw

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:55:06 +0000

Over Memorial Day weekend 2011, a small but powerful hail storm cut through the Shaw neighborhood. If you live in Shaw and were around during the storm, you certainly remember it. Hail storms can do damage to all types of roofs (slate, tile, composite shingle and modified flat roofs) and may not be noticeable to an untrained eye. From my vantage point, 30 feet below, my roof looked fine. Then I noticed a small patch off shingles missing and a small water leak on my third floor. I called in a claim. The adjuster checked the roof and found significant damage. The insurance company will replace my entire roof including my gutters. I shared my story with a few neighbors and they had the same result. If you live in Shaw, you may consider having a roofing company check you roof for hail damage or submit a claim and have a insurance adjuster take a look. If you go to sell your home and the inspection finds hail damage, you will be responsible for the repairs if the statute of limitations has expired.

Cortex II Could Positively Impact Shaw And Surrounding Neighborhoods

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:44:59 +0000

As reported by Nextstl, the next phase of the Cortex development (Cortex II) will transform and enhance a long neglected industrial area bordered by Newstead to the west, hwy 40 to the south, Sarah to the east and Forest Park to the north. The new improvements include 3 renovations of historic buildings, the largest being 180,000 sq. ft., a new metro link station, landscaping, streetscapes, an event space and a new ramp at Tower Grove and hwy 40. Please follow the link to the story http://nextstl.com/central-corridor/cortex-development-plan-conscious-of-history-set-to-preserve-city-s-memory

In my opinion, these efforts to improve the area will bring more jobs and create a critical mass in an area with little use today. The new ramp at Tower Grove will provide easier access to all the neighborhoods around the development including Shaw. Further, BJC alone employs over 25,000 people and I believe a certain % will continue to look for a safe urban living experience that the Shaw Neighborhood provides. Affordability, livability and walk-ability are the hallmarks for our neighborhood. I think it will conitune to be an attractive option.

Logic would dictate the efforts of the groups involved with Cortex will help Forest Park SouthEast continue to evolve from a once forgotten neighborhood to a commercial destination to a thriving neighborhood and that the expansion will fill the currently underutilized pockets (i.e. south of Manchester/west tower grove)and move to Botanical Heights and Shaw. Connecting all these neighborhoods will bring us together as a community and provide a better living experience for all. I look forward to the Cortex II ground breaking.

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation Completes Modular Building Feasibility Study

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:08:13 +0000

The Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation has made large strides towards developing vacant and abandoned buildings in the Shaw Neighborhood. Most LRA owned buildings in Shaw currently have developers assigned to complete the development. In addition to tracking, locating and negotiating opportunities with privately owned vacant/abandoned building owners, SNHC is also focused on new construction in Shaw. Below is a list of potentially available vacant lots owned by LRA in Shaw. In an effort to educate developers on the possibility of using modular building practices for infill lots, SNHC engaged Jay Swoboda from EcoUrban homes to develop a feasibilility study on modular building. Jay concluded a 5-10% savings could be expected on a single family home compared to a stick built home. In addition to the cost savings, Jay outlines many other reasons why modular building should be considered. Please review the complete study here . Please contact me at seanspencersnhc@att.net with any questions and/or for additional information on the available lots in Shaw. SNHC hopes the study may be applied in other neighborhoods around St. Louis City.

Available Lots In Shaw

4100 Detonty Renovated and Sold- What Does It Mean For Shaw?

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:22:58 +0000

Earlier this month, the renovated property at 4100 Detonty was sold. 4100 Detonty was previously vacant for over a decade. As hundreds of thousands of cars on hwy 44 passed the vacant and abandoned building shell daily, it was probably concluded the surrounding neighborhood was also in need of rehabilitation. 4100 Detonty could be considered a billboard for the state of the Shaw neighborhood.

If you live in Shaw or the surrounding area, you are aware of the strides we have made over the years and how our neighborhood has become a destination for young and old professionals, students, families and retirees.

As I mentioned in my previous blogs, our vacant and abandoned property list is shrinking and fast. While we still have work to complete, most LRA buildings owned in Shaw are assigned to developers or are under construction. The previously owned LRA building at 4012 Shenandoah will be listed at $325,000.

The SNHC office receives weekly calls from people looking for properties to live in and to invest in. Our investors/developers list is at 40 and growing. We have multiple developers who beleive we compete directly with the Central West End for tenants/residents given our real estate stock, real estate pricing and our proximity to BJC, SLU, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, and SLU Medical Center. In addition, we are a desirable location because of our proximity one of the 10 best Botanical Gardens in the world and a 176 acre Victorian inspired city park. Further, we have great access to all the highways and we are walking distance to the South Grand dining/shopping district.

The courage and belief of Courtney McCray (Developer) and his partners to embrace the renovation along with help from the City, made this project a success. In fact, on a recent night, I drove past and noticed a Christmas tree in the front hall and a stroller on the front porch! 4100 Detonty is just the first step in bringing the entire block of 4100 Detonty back to life. It was reported a new townhouse development will start in the coming weeks on lots west of 4100 Detonty. As cars drive on hwy 44 pass each new construction building rising on the block, it will continue to show off how far our neighborhood has come and where we are going. Happy Holidays from SNHC!

Saint Louis Doesn’t Suck

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:24:36 +0000

The SNHC promotes housing in the Shaw Neighborhood. In a broader context, we promote city living. Please follow the link to the article “Saint Louis Doesn’t Suck” and read some reasons why St. Louis should be considered a highly desirable place to live.

http://news.yahoo.com/st-louis-doesnt-suck-210926369.html?ana=e_stl_rdup

Garcia Properties Selected to Renovate 4063 Castleman

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:33:10 +0000

With direction from the Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation Board and Alderman Conway, the SNHC has targeted the 4000 block of Castleman for improvement. It was one of a few remaining blocks in Shaw in need of help based on the number of vacant properties. Over the past 18 months, SNHC has facilitated the development of 4008 Castleman, 4020 Castleman, 4059 Castleman and has worked closely with the developer of 4041 Castleman. 4059 Castleman was completed in less than 6 months, sold for $231,000 after only 17 days on market.

In an effort to continue the progress on the block, SNHC worked to acquire the property located at 4063 Castleman from Frontenac Bank. Frontenac Bank previously foreclosed on the property from Eighteen Investments. The property had been sold multiple times over the past decade but no work was ever completed and the building continued to deteriorate.

Given their success with the “sister” property next door (4059 Castleman), proven track record and financial ability, Garcia Properties was selected to complete 4063 Castleman. The project will be an approx 2100 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath fully renovated home. The historic tax credit application is underway and construction could start within months. Garcia Properties is also completing 4012 Shenandoah in the Shaw Neighborhood.

SNHC is excited about the progress on the 4000 block on Castleman and we look forward to significantly and positively impacting the improvement of more properties throughout Shaw in the near future.

Development Activity Around Shaw Shows South City Progress

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:52:37 +0000

It is an exciting time to live in Shaw. Last Thursday, City Garden and UIC construction hosted a ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction of the new City Garden School and new cafe/restaurant (corner of Mcree/Tower Grove Ave). This stretch of Tower Grove will be transformed to active and alive major arterial road. The new City Garden School will be the newest addition to excellent educational opportunities for residents in the area. The school was started in Shaw and has grown through community participation and a stellar reputation.

In addition, construction has started on the new Chouteau Park in Forest Park Southeast at the corner of Tower Grove and Chouteau. Please see the link to Park Central Development’s website for more detail. http://www.17thwardstl.com/wordpress.com/?p=1922.The park will hold a sports field, amphitheatre and playground. It will be a great addition to the area. In addition, the new intersection and off ramp connecting hwy 40 to Tower Grove Avenue (plans and financing are complete to my knowledge but no start date has been set). Here’s an article from the Biz Journal http://www.17thwardstl.com/wordpress.com/?p=1922

Last, news came last week, SLU has purchased the Pevely Building at Chouteau and Grand. They have applied for demo permits but plan to keep the smoke stack and building facade (facing grand). They intend to build a new state of the art doctor’s building. They also own the lot across the street on the Northwest corner of Grand and Chouteau. The importance of this intersection with the new constructed research building and the new Grand Ave Bridge can’t be understated. We look forward to the coming years and seeing firsthand how all the people, companies, organizations and politicians continue to improve and shape our area.

Rehabs sell in Shaw….And Fast!

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:49:22 +0000

In preparation for presenting at several neighborhood meetings I did a quick market analysis on rehabbed properties completed and sold in the last 12 months. Below are my findings:

¤ Approx 12 major renovations completed
¤ Average Sale Price $216,375
¤ Average sq. ft. home 2009 sq. ft
¤ Average – 3 bedroom/2.5 baths
¤ Max Sale price- $317,000
¤ Average Price Per Square Foot- $108
¤ Average % sale to list price- 95.72%
¤ Average days on market – 44

It appears renovated properties in Shaw sell at premium prices and sell within 1.5 months of listing. From my experience, the Shaw Neighborhood is still in need of high quality, full renovations. Shell buildings sell for between 35-45,000 depending on the size. This price range is discounted from the highs in 2005. The price for shell buildings is attractive to developers because in essence they can buy low, renovate, and sell high.

Please note, SNHC has secured developers for all but one LRA property in Shaw. We are excited about the success of the developers and we still think Shaw has a major upside. If you would like any information on buying, renting, developing or moving your business to Shaw, please contact me at seanspencersnhc@att.net

Thank you for your interest in the Shaw Neighborhood.

Fall For Shaw House Tour SUNDAY OCT 2, 2011 12pm to 4pm

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:19:15 +0000

FALL FOR SHAW OPEN HOUSE TOUR
The Annual Fall For Shaw House Tour is schedule for Sunday October 2, 2011 from 12pm to 4pm.
The tour will feature for sale and for rent properties. There are over 20 properties on tour this year. It will give interested parties the opportunity to walk/bike/drive the streets of our neighborhood and see some of the available properties. We plan to showcase several customizable homes which are for sale and in need of renovation. The tour starts in front of the Thurman Grill located at 4069 Shenandoah Ave. SNHC looks forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Sean Spencer at 314-583-9436 or seanspencersnhc@att.net.